🔥 In one of the most significant shakeups of the SuperMotocross offseason, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has officially unveiled a powerhouse roster for the 2026 season. The team confirmed that legendary American champion Eli Tomac and four-time FIM Motocross World Champion Jorge Prado will join the fan-favorite Aaron Plessinger to form a formidable three-rider lineup in the premier 450 division.
The move cements KTM as a dominant force heading into the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship, which combines the AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and playoff series.
The Return of the Champion: Eli Tomac to KTM
The signing of Eli Tomac is arguably the biggest news of the rider shuffle. The veteran star, who left Yamaha Star Racing after a highly successful stint that included a Monster Energy Supercross and Pro Motocross sweep in 2022, will ride Austrian machinery for the first time in his professional career.
Tomac’s previous tenure with Yamaha yielded 50 podium finishes and two major championships, demonstrating his continued elite speed even after suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in 2023. His arrival injects tremendous experience and championship pedigree into the Red Bull KTM camp.
Team Manager Ian Harrison expressed his excitement about the acquisition: “It is always interesting to bring in a rider such as Eli, who we have raced against over the last decade and we’ve always looked for ways to beat him, but now we are focusing on how we can support him to win. I am confident that our team and all of the riders will benefit from his experience and maturity.”
International Powerhouse: Jorge Prado’s US Commitment
Joining Tomac is Spanish star Jorge Prado, a Motocross World Champion in both the MXGP (450cc) and MX2 (250cc) classes. Prado, who is no stranger to the KTM family, having achieved his European success on their bikes, is now fully committed to a sustained push for the Supercross and Pro Motocross titles in the United States.
Prado’s decision to race the full SuperMotocross season alongside proven US winners like Tomac and Plessinger makes the 450 class a true global spectacle.
A New Era for the Orange Brigade
Aaron Plessinger, known for his consistency and popular persona, returns for another season, providing a stable, high-level veteran presence.
Meanwhile, the 250 division will be spearheaded by Julien Beaumer. The young talent is set to be the sole 250 rider, though his debut is anticipated to begin with the Pro Motocross season in May following an injury recovery.
This announcement follows a week of seismic shifts in the dirt bike racing world. Just days before the KTM news broke, two-time champion Chase Sexton was officially confirmed to have signed a multi-year deal with Monster Energy Kawasaki, setting up a spectacular rivalry for the 2026 season. The massive roster changes ensure that the upcoming Supercross and Motocross seasons will be some of the most competitive in history.